How Do You Know When It’s Time To Upgrade Your Tennis Racquet?
October 17th, 2018 by Do It Tennis
When you got your tennis racquet a few years back, it was your baby; always secured safely in your padded, climate controlled tennis bag. But after a few years, a lot of practice and thousands of hits, your beloved racquet just doesn’t seem to be keeping up with you on the court. You may have simply worn yours out, but your style and skill level may have also dramatically changed.
So when do you know it’s time to upgrade? Either your racquet has peaked and it’s time to retire it or you are ready to graduate to a new tennis racquet that suits your evolved playing style.
There are some obvious signs like cracks in the frame; however, if you’re racquet still looks in good shape but you don’t feel like it’s performing at it’s best, it could be time for re-stringing.
If you get your racquet restrung and it still just doesn’t feel right, it is probably time to start tennis racquet shopping. You will know with the first hit after the restring job if that was the problem; if you don’t feel any difference with the new tennis string, then you know it’s the racquet. It’s hard to believe that even with the highest quality of tennis racquets these days, they still don’t last forever. They are used constantly by us tough, avid tennis players and we can be hard on our racquets. Even restringing can take it’s toll on the frame (which is why it’s important to make sure that your stringer always uses a 6-point tennis stringing machine, which secures the frame, minimizing the stress on the head of the racquet).
There are many variables to keep in mind when picking a new tennis racquet; whether it’s your first or your twentieth upgrade. Those factors include tennis head size, grip size, length and weight. Other things to consider is your play style and determining whether power or control is more important to you as a player.
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced player, choosing a new racquet can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of racquets on the market, all with different features for different types of players. You can always talk to a tennis pro or take advantage of a demo program. You can also try our Racquet Pro: Tennis Racquet Comparison tool. Tennis racquet reviews can also be a huge help when you have narrowed down your search and need help on making the final decision.
Don’t be too sad to retire that racquet; we as tennis players are constantly evolving and our racquets need to evolve with us. Our weaknesses become our strengths and we find new challenges we need to overcome in our game. Our tennis racquet(s) help us in that player development, getting us to the next level on the court.
